An airline pilot has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife after she was found fatally injured at her village home.

Nail technician Patricia McIntosh, 56, had suffered head injuries and was discovered by police in the hamlet of Knightcote, Warwickshire, on November 15 last year.

Andrew McIntosh, appearing at Warwick Crown Court wearing a sweater and a shirt, entered his plea during a 30-minute hearing on Friday, ahead of his trial on May 14.

The 54-year-old, who had been living at a separate address in Woolscott, near Rugby, before his arrest, had worked flying airliners and was still employed as a pilot around the time of the death.

Nail technician Patricia McIntosh, 56, pictured left, had suffered head injuries and was discovered by police in the hamlet of Knightcote, Warwickshire, on November 15 last year. Andrew McIntosh, pictured right, appeared at Warwick Crown Court today

The trial is expected to last seven days and will hear from witnesses who knew the couple, and include medical and CCTV evidence. Mrs McIntosh is pictured before her death

Judge Andrew Lockhart QC, who is set to hear the trial, told McIntosh he would be remanded in custody until the next hearing.

He said: 'Mr McIntosh, you know already that your trial will take place on May 14.

'The order I have made means you must serve your defence case statement by February 2, and you will be instructed about that.

'You know it (the statement) must be a full one, or it might count against you.'